I'm interpreting that remark as sarcasm.
There are many Catholic young men who revere God and would love to be pastors. The problem for these boys is that they also like girls and find it impossible to give up the thought of a wife and family.
These boys could also be kind and loving pastors. I don't believe any passages in the Bible are opposed to that concept.
I'm interpreting that remark as sarcasm.
It is actually using their own words back upon them. The theme often distills down to the idea that celibacy is unnatural and leads automatically to child molesting or other crimes against people.
There are many Catholic young men who revere God and would love to be pastors. The problem for these boys is that they also like girls and find it impossible to give up the thought of a wife and family.
It is not impossible to be a married priest. It is just that Scripture and Church practice indicate that a celibate state can be more optional to serving God and not being distracted from Christianity and the worship and serving of God.
These boys could also be kind and loving pastors. I don't believe any passages in the Bible are opposed to that concept.
The Church permits married deacons (who are ordained) and the Latin Church discourages married priests and will not allow married bishops. The East has more married priests, but still prefers unmarried ones. Monks and cloistered brothers/sisters are celibate. Serving the Church within Church discipline can be done in the married state. And it is practice, a discipline, not dogma. Theoretically I could be made Pope, with a wife and six kids. But probably not, within the Church disciplines.
Let us see what Scripture says about celibacy in the service of God:
Matthew 19: 9 I say to you, 7 whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery." 10 [His] disciples said to him, "If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry." 11 He answered, "Not all can accept [this] word, 8 but only those to whom that is granted. 12 Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage 9 for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it."
Jesus tells us that some men are granted the state of celibacy for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Now, we know that Paul was a voluntary celibate. What does he say?
1 Corinthians 7: 1 2 3 Now in regard to the matters about which you wrote: "It is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman," ... 6 This I say by way of concession, 4 however, not as a command. 7 Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am, but each has a particular gift from God, 5 one of one kind and one of another. 8 6 Now to the unmarried and to widows, I say: it is a good thing for them to remain as they are, as I do, 9 but if they cannot exercise self-control they should marry, for it is better to marry than to be on fire.
If you can do it, be celibate Paul says, but if you cannot, then be moral in your relations. Good.
26 So this is what I think best because of the present distress: that it is a good thing for a person to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek a separation. Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife. 28 If you marry, however, you do not sin, nor does an unmarried woman sin if she marries; but such people will experience affliction in their earthly life, and I would like to spare you that.
More urging for celibacy.
32 I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. 33 But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and he is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit. A married woman, on the other hand, is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to impose a restraint upon you, but for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction. 36 13 14 If anyone thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, and if a critical moment has come and so it has to be, let him do as he wishes. He is committing no sin; let them get married. 37 The one who stands firm in his resolve, however, who is not under compulsion but has power over his own will, and has made up his mind to keep his virgin, will be doing well. 38 So then, the one who marries his virgin does well; the one who does not marry her will do better.
Okay; Paul argues for celibacy very strongly to the Corinthians.
Jeremiah 56: 3 2 Let not the foreigner say, when he would join himself to the LORD, "The LORD will surely exclude me from his people"; Nor let the eunuch say, "See, I am a dry tree." 4 For thus says the LORD: To the eunuchs who observe my sabbaths and choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant, 5 3 I will give, in my house and within my walls, a monument and a name Better than sons and daughters; an eternal, imperishable name will I give them.
Even hoary old Isaiah is told by the Lord that eunuchs who serve Him will be rewarded for that celibate service. Therefore, I must conclude that while celibacy is not required to serve the Lord, there are certain roles which call for or are able to better be served in by celibates.